Music-leaf turner.



I. J. PONSTEIN. MUSIC LEAF TURNER.

APPLICATION mum In. 18, 1910.

976,690. Patented NOV. 22', 19

2 [BEETS-SHEET 1.

adv/neg I. J. PONSTEIN. MUSIO LEAF TURNER. APPLICATION rmm mm. 18, 1910.

Patented Nov. '22, I910.

'2 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

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MUSIC-LEAF TURNER.

stones.

Specification of Letters E'atent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1910.

Application filed March 18, 1910. Serial No. 550,273.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Ismonn J. PONSTEIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New ()rleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Music-Leaf Turners, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention provides mechanical means for turning the leaves of musical compositions so that the performer may continue the playing without any perceptible interruption and at the same time avoid the necessity of an assistant to turn the leaves during the progress of the performance.

The primary object of the invention is a music leaf turner involving a novel combination of elements which will admit of the leaves being turned positively in both directions, so that any part of a piece may be re peated, the construction being such that any desired leaf may be turned forwardly or backwardly according to the caprice of the performer to produce any desired effect or to lengthen the piece by repetition.

Ihe invention in its specific adaptation 'is particularly designed for musical instruments of the pianoforte type provided with a manual and a music rest, the parts being so disposed as to be wholly out of the way and protected and adapted to be operated by the foot of the performer, thereby leaving the hands perfectly free for manipulation of the keys of the manual.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combina tion of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the acconipanying drawings, and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part of the application, Figure 1 is a front View of a musical instrument of the piano-forte type provided with a leaf turning mechanism embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the leaf turning mechanism on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4;. Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 on the line 3-3 of Fig. l. Fig. 1- is a horizontal. section of the leaf turning mechanism on the line d -lof Fig. 1, showing the parts on a larger scale and having portions broken away.

Corresponding and to in the following description, cated in all the views of the drawings, the same reference characters.

like parts are referred and indi- The invention is designed chiefly for pianos, organs, and musical instruments of kindred type and is shown in the accompanyii'ig drawings applied to a piano, the operating mechanism being located at the top of the instrument and arranged to be operated by pedals within convenient reach of the foot. it is to be understood that the mechanism is to be suitably incased so as i to be protected and concealed from view. lVhen the invention is applied to pianos and analogous musical instruments already con structed the operating mechanism is incased in a structure which is adapted to be placed upon the instrument and retained in position by suitable means. [is indicated in Fig. 1 iron bars 1 are secured at their lower ends to the projecting portion of the instrument supporting the manual or keyboard and the casing inclosing the operating mechanism is attached to the upper ends of said bars and comprises a base 2 and a top 3. Suitable uprights 5, 6, '2' and 8 project upwardly from the base 2 and support the operating parts. 'lrips 9 and 10 are pivoted intermediate of their ends to the uprights and are connected by means of rods 11 and 12 to pedals and la pivotally supported near the foot of the instrument and near one end thereof. The leaf turning mechanism is mounted upon 2. carrier 15, which is slidably mounted the uprights 6 and 7. A helical spring is mounted upon a reduced portion 18 of carrier and is confined between a stop The spring 17 is of T "he 9 and the upright 7. the co itractile type and normally exerts a pulling force upon the carrier 15 to move the same toward the left, one end of the spring 1? being secured to the stop 19 and the other end secured to. the upright 7. A finger piece 20 is connected with the carrier 15 and is adapted to be gripped or otherwise pressed upon by a finger of the hand to move the carrier into any desired position when it is required to operate the same by hand. 'fi he carrier 15 is provided with three sets of stops, the several sets being designated by the re erence numerals 21, 22 and 23. A detcnt' 2 L pivoted to the upright (3 is adapted to cooperate with the sets of stops 21 and 23, said detent having an end portion underlapping the trip 10 to be operated thereby.

The detent 24; has a stop 25, which is adapted to engage any oneof the series of stops 21 and is likewise provided with a stop 26 to cooperate with any one of the stops of the set or series A spring 27 interposed between the base 2 and outer end of the detent exerts an upward pressure upon the outer end of the detent 21 so as normally to hold its inner end lowered with the stop cxtending in the path of the series of stops A pin 28 secured to the base 2 supports the spring 27 and passes through a slot 29 in the outer portion or the detent The carrier 15 has a longitudinal slot 30 through which passes a pin 81 pendent from the detent 21, thereby holding the parts 15 and 2-1 in given position so as to insure engagement of the cooperating steps 21 and 25 and and The leaf turning mechanism is mounted upon the carrier 15 and comprises a series of shafts 32- and leaf grippers 33, the latter being of any construction so as to grip opposite sides of a leaf to insure positive turning thereof either forwardly or baclnvardly. The leaf while embraced by the parts of the gripper is nevertheless held sutliciently loose to admit of the gripper having a sliding movement, which is essential because the leaf turning elements receive both a rotary and a sliding movement. The rotary movement results from a turning of the shafts about their axes, whereas the sliding movement is incident to the backward and forward movement of the carrier 15. The shafts are mounted in the carrier 15 and in a frame 3-1 secured to the under side of said carrier. The lower ends of the shafts 32 are bent laterally, as indicated at 35, and the leaf grippers 33 are attached to the outer ends of the bent portions Pinions are fas tened to the upper portions of the shafts so as to turn therewith. A short rack bar 37 is secured to a part of the framework and is arranged to engage with the pinions 36 in successive order so as to turn the same and the shafts about one-half revolution sufficient to turn the leaves of the music. The rack bar 37 is provided with a sufficient number of teeth to impart a one-half revolution only to each of the shafts 32 and to clear the pinions thereof after the leaves of the music have been turned. It is to be understood that the carrier 15 receives a step-by-step movement, each movement being limited by the cooperating stops herein referred to, so that upon the first movement of the carrier 15 toward the left the first leaf of the music is turned and upon the second movement of the carrier the second leaf of the music is turned and so on in succession. .Vhen the pedal 11- is depressed the outer end of the detent is elevated and its inner end correspondingly depressed, thereby lowering the outer end of the detent 21 and disengaging the stop 26 from the first stop of the set or series of stops and at the same time bringing the stop 25 into the path of the set of stops 21. The

instant the stop 26 clears the first stop of the set of stops the carrier is moved to the left by the spring 17, thereby causing the pinion of the first shaft to move across the rack bar 37, with the result that the first leaf of the piece is turned. The carrier 15 is limited in its movement to the left by the first stop 21 striking the stop and when the foot is removed from the pedal 1%- the spring 27 restores the parts 1 1, 10 and 2-1 to normal position. As the outer end of the detent is pressed upward by the spring 27 its inner end is lowered, thereby bringing the stop 26 into position to engage the second step of the set or series of steps 23 and upon operating the pedal 11 a second time the operation just described is repeated and the second leaf of the music is turned and so on throughout the series in succession.

A resctter 38 is provided for operating the arrier 15 to return the same to a given position to turn the leaves backward when it is required to repeat any portion of the musical composition. The resetter 38 consists of a bar and is mounted to receive both a pivotal. and a sliding movement and is sup ported in the uprights 6 antl 7. The resetter 38 has a reduced portion upon which is mounted an expansible spring 10, which is confined between the upright 7 and a stop e1 secured to the reduced portion 39 of the resetter. The spring 10 normally exerts a pressure upon the resetter 38 to move the same to the right in opposition to the action of the spring 17, which latter tends to move the carrier 15 to the left. The spring 10 is of higher tension or superior to the spring 17 so as to overcome the force of the latter when both the carrier and the resctter are released, whereby the superior strength of the spring 10 may move both the resetter and the carrier to the right against the tension of the spring 17. The resetter is provided with a finger piece whereby it may posi tively be moved independently of the pedal action. The resetter is provided with two sets of pins or stops and 4A, the stops at?) projecting vertically to cooperate with the stops 22 of the carrier 15 and the stops -11 projecting horizontally to cooperate with a stop 15 extending upwardly from the base 2 and having its upper edge curved slightly, as indicated -16, for the steps is to ride upon. A stop at? is pendent from the left hand end of the resetter and is adapted to engage one of a series of stops or pins 18 extending upwardly from the base 2 and which steps 48 vary in height. The stops -18 progressively increase in length from left to right so as to be engaged successively by the stop as the resetter moves to the right. The resetter 38 has a longitudinal slot 19 through which a pin 50 passes, a spring 51 being mounted upon said pin and normally exerting a downward pressure upon the resetter. The pin and spring 51 are located in a slot formed in the upright 6 and through which slot the resetter 38 passes, the lower closed end of the slot being oppositely inclined to form a knife edge upon which the resetter is pivotally mounted. A slot is formed in the upright 7 for the reduced portion 39 of the resetter to pass through and to move vertically. The spring 40 is normally under tension and the resetter 38 is held at its extreme movement to the left by the foremost stop of the set of stops or pins 44 engaging the stop 45. l Vhen the right hand end of the resetter 38 is elevated the foremost stop 44 clears the stop 45 and the resetter is moved to the right by the action of the spring 40. When the right hand end of the resetter 38 is elevated one of the stops 48 engages with one of the stops 22 of the carrier 15 and moves the latter to the right, thereby causing the pinion of the nearest leaf turner to the left of the rack bar 37 to move across said rack bar, thereby turning said leaf turner to the right, with the result that the leaf of the music last played. is turned backward. When the right hand end of the resetter is elevated the left hand end is lowered, thereby bringing the stop 47 in position to engage one of the se ries of stops 48 so as to limit the movement of the resetter and carrier to the right. When the right hand end of the resetter is lowered the next stop 44 engages the stop 45 and prevents further movement of the resetter and the stop 44 previously clearing the stop 45 engages said stop 45, thereby preventing casual movement of the resetter to the left except by design or intent of the operator who must first lift the right hand end of the resetter and then push the same to the left, thereby compressing the spring 40, and which movement is readily accomplished through the instrumentality of the finger piece 42.

For operating the resetter 38 to effect disengagement of the stop 44 from the stop 45 a release lever as is provided and pivoted at 54 to the upright 6. The pivot 54 consists of a pin which also passes through the de tent 24. The inner or right hand end of the release lever 58 is provided with a link 55, which is formed of spaced members embracing opposite sides of the resetter and connected at their lower ends by means of a pin 56 upon which. a roller is mounted, the pin and roller extending beneath the resetter. The left handend of the release lever underlaps the trip 9 and is formed with a slot or opening 57" through which a pin 58 passes, said pin being secured at its lower end to the base 2 and supporting a coil spring 59, which exerts an upward pressure upon the left hand end of the part 53.

Upon depressing the inner end of the pedal 13 the trip 9 is operated to lower the left hand end of the lever 53, with the result that the right hand end of said lever is lifted and by means of the link lifts the right hand end of the resetter, thereby disengaging the stop from the stop 45 when the spring 40 will operate in the manner stated to turn a leaf of the musical composition backward or to the right. A lifter 60 projects laterally from the release lever 53 and extends beneath the detent 24, so that when the rigl'it hand end of the release lever is elevated the corresponding end of the detent 24 is likewise lifted to cause the stop 26 to clear the stop 28, whereby the carrier 15 may move forward with the resetter.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accon'ipanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the devicewhich I now consider to be the embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

1. In an. appliance of the character set forth, the combination of a rectilinear movable carrier, leaf turners mounted upon the carrier, stationary actuating means for successively operating the leaf turners, a spring normally exerting a pressure upon the carrier to move the same in one direction, a detent adapted to engage the carrier to limit the movement thereof in one direction, operating means provided upon the carrier and detent for effecting release of the detent from the carrier, and complementary means for limiting the movement of the carrier when moved by the aforesaid spring to effect operation of a leaf turner.

2. In an appliance of the character specified, the combination of a movable carrier, a series of leaf turners mounted thereon, actuating means for operating the leaf turners in successive order, two sets of stops provided upon. the said carrier, a detent having two stops to alternately engage with the ts of stops provided upon the carrier to l the movement thereof, means for moving the carrier in one direction, and actuating means for the said detent to throw one stop thereof out of the path of one set of steps of the carrier and at the same time to throw the other stop into the path of the other set of stops of said carrier to limit the movement of the latter and insure a step-by-step movement of the carrier, whereby the leaf turners are successively operated.

3. In an appliance of the character set forth, the combination of a carrier, a series of leaf turners mounted thereon, actuating means for the leaf turners stationarily mounted and adapted to engage the same in successive order, means for moving the carrier in one direction, two sets of stops mounted upon the carrier, a pivotally mounted detent, and stops upon the detent upon opposite sides of its pivotal support and adapted to coi'ipe ate with the sets of stops of the carrier to insure a limited step-bystep movement thereof.

l. In an appliance of the character set forth, the combination of a carrier, a series 1 of leaf turners mounted thereon, actuating means for tne leaf turners stationarily mounted and adapted to engage the same in successive order, means for moving the carrier in one direction, two sets of stops mounted upon the carrier, a pivotally mounted detent, stops upon the detent upon opposite sides of its pivotal support and adapted to cooperate with the sets of stops of the carrier to insure a limited step-by-step movement thereof, and alining means between the detent and carrier attached to one of the parts and having sliding engagement with the other part.

5. In combination a rectilinear movable carrier having a slot, leaf turners mounted upon said carrier, a stationary actuator for operating the leaf turners in succession, means for exerting a pressure upon the carrier to move the same positively in one direction, a pivoted detent provided with stops upon opposite sides of its pivotal support, sets of stops provided upon the said carrier to be alternately engaged by the stops of the detent, actuating means for the detent, and a pin secured to the detent and passing through the slot of the carrier.

(3. In an appliance of the character set forth, the combination of a movable carrier, means for imparting a step-by-step move ment thereto in one direction, leaf turners mounted upon said carrier, operating means for rotating the leaf turners actuated by movement of the carrier, a resetter, means for resiliently moving the resetter in an opposite direction to the carrier, sets of stops between the carrier and resetter to enable engagement between the two being effected at any relative movement of the carrier, and other means for limiting the movement of the resetter so that one leaf turner at a time is rotated.

T. In an appliance of the character set forth, the combination of a movable carrier, means for imparting a step-by-step movement thereto in one direction, leaf turners mounted upon said carrier, operating means for rotating the leaf turners actuated by movement of the carrier, a resetter, means for resiliently moving the resetter in an opposite direction to the carrier, sets of stops between the carrier and resetter whereby engagement between the two may be effected at any relative position assumed by the parts, a fixed stop, a set of stops provided upon the resetter to cooperate with said fixed stop, and other stops between the resetter and a part of the framework to insure an intermittent movement of the resetter.

8. In an appliance of the character set forth, the combination of a rectilinear movable carrier, a series of leaf turners mounted upon the carrier, means for rotating the leaf turners in succession, means for imparting a step-by-step movement to the carrier, a resetter mounted to have both a pivotal and a sliding movement, means for imparting a step-by-step movement to the resetter in an opposite direction to the movement of the carrier, and interlocking means between the carrier and resetter to effect engagement between them at any relative position in their movement.

9. In combination a rectilinear movable carrier, leaf turners mounted thereon, actuating means for rotating the leaf turners, means for effecting a step-by-step movement of the carrier in one direction, a spring normally exerting a pressure upon the carrier to move the same in a given direction, a resetter, a spring normally exerting a pressure upon the resetter to move the same in an opposite direction to the carrier and of superior strength to the carrier operating spring, interlocking means between the carrier and resetter to cause the carrier to move with the resetter for turning the leaves backward, and means for releasing the resetter and limiting the movement thereof.

10. In combination a rectilinear movable carrier, leaf turners mounted thereon, actuating means for the leaf turners, a pivoted detent, stops between said detent and carrier, a resetter mounted to have both a pivotal and a longitudinal movement, engaging means between the carrier and resetter, means for limiting movement of the resetter, and a release lever for operating the resetter.

11. In combination a rectilinear movable carrier, leaf turners mounted thereon, actuating means for the leaf turners, a pivoted detent, stops between said detent and carrier, a resetter mounted to have both a pivotal and a longitudinal movement, engaging means between the carrier and resetter, means for limiting movement of the resetter, a release lever for operating the resetter, and a lifter between the release lever and detent whereby the latter is operated simultaneously with the release lever.

12. In combination a carrier mounted to have a rectilinear movement imparted thereto, a series of leaf turners mounted upon the carrier, operating means therefor, a pivoted detent, sets of stops between the detent and carrier to limit the step-by-step movement of the latter, a resetter mounted to have both a rectilinear and a pivotal movement imparted thereto, sets of stops between the carrier and resetter, a fixed stop, a set of stops upon the resetter to engage said fixed stop, a fixed stop provided upon the resetter, a set of stops provided upon the framework to be engaged by the fixed stop of the resetter and of variable length, a release lever mounted in line with the said detent, connecting means between the release lever and said resetter, and a litter between the release lever and detent, whereby the latter is operated simultaneously with the release lever.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ISIDORE J. PONSTEIN;

Witnesses I GEO. G. DELVAILLE, JNO. M. SHERIDAN. 

